The ONCF, in consultation with the UIC (International Union of Railways), has launched a national prevention campaign at level crossings which started in the provinces of Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane.
Distribution of leaflets at level crossings, in schools, driving schools, clubs, posting of posters in stations and other strategic places, broadcasting of targeted messages on the radio and television, organisation of meetings with the national and local press, as many awareness-raising actions that were articulated around a common message: "At level crossings, priority to life". The expected objective is for citizens to become aware of the dangers represented by railway tracks and to avoid anarchic crossings of level crossings. In this context, Mohamed Rabie Khlie, Director General of the ONCF, accompanied by Hadj Chakib Bourkia and Lahoucine Amzal, governors of the provinces of Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane, and local authorities proceeded to the launch of several pilot projects, notably in the rural commune of Hawafate, Mechraa Bel Ksiri circle of the Sidi Kacem province. New automatic light signalling and sound announcement equipment, automatic barrier closing and road signals intended to strengthen safety at the level crossing located on the Fes-Tangier line, between the stations of Sidi Kacem and Mechraa Bel Ksiri, were therefore inaugurated.
On the same occasion, Mr Khlie and Mr Kharbouch, first vice-president of the Moroccan Red Crescent association, proceeded to the signing of a partnership agreement aimed at implementing actions to raise awareness among residents near the railway track about the good behaviours to adopt when crossing level crossings. This agreement aims to define the general framework of the partnership between the two parties in the field of prevention and awareness of safety and civility in railway lands and rights-of-way.
In the city of Sidi Slimane, construction work on a road bridge replacing the PN 1071 located between the stations of the rural commune of Ksibia and the city of Sidi Slimane was inaugurated. The contribution to the financing of the project by the ONCF is 78 million DH, or 60%, the councils and communes participate up to 52 million DH, or 40% of the total amount. The total budget is 130 million DH. The objective of the project is to strengthen the safety of all unguarded "2nd category" level crossings. "All these measures are, certainly, important to secure railway rights-of-way, but that does not mean that they are sufficient. Safety in the vicinity of railway tracks must be everyone's concern, and everyone must be vigilant and adopt the behaviour of a responsible citizen", concluded Mohamed Rabie Khlie.
Security programme
This programme, which was presented on 14 November 2012 in Benguerir, is advancing in accordance with the planned schedule and already allows for positive results to be observed with regard to the notable decrease in the number of accidents both at level crossings and on the open track. Indeed, during the first four months of 2013, and compared with the same period in 2012, the number of accidents was reduced by 63% at level crossings (6 against 16) and by 37% at the level of the open track outside level crossings (37 against 58).
